This World Cup, Cape Verde 🇨🇻 is truly one of the biggest dark horses.

In the group stage, they advanced with three draws, shocking everyone.
Cape Verde was placed in Group H, facing Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia.
- Spain 0-0 Cape Verde (June 15) — World Cup debut, directly held back the reigning European champions, causing a huge stir.
- Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde (June 21) — Came back from behind to equalize, another upset.
- Cape Verde 0-0 Saudi Arabia — Secured points steadily.
All three matches were draws, 3 points, advancing undefeated throughout the group stage, scoring 2 goals and conceding 2.
For a FIFA-ranked 64th island nation making its first World Cup appearance, this result is already historic. 😲
@E1️️ Knockout stage: Just opened ⚽ this morning, Cape Verde 🇨🇻 faced the reigning world champions Argentina 🇦🇷, with Messi on the field!
The result was a 2-2 draw that went into extra time.
Finally, they were only resolved in the last few minutes. Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde, Argentina narrowly advanced.
The 64th-ranked island nation pushed the current world champions into extra time and nearly flipped the table.
@E2️️ Why is Cape ⚽ Verde so tough?
Very clear tactics: high pressing + quick counterattacks, extremely tight defensive organization, fast ball release, not giving strong teams time to set up formations. Head coach Pedro Brito has trained this team with strong discipline; not relying on genius, but on the collective.
This style particularly neutralizes technical teams like Spain. Spain controlled possession but couldn't break through. They fully exploited the complacency of strong teams.
A glorious defeat. 🏆
Making it to the knockout stage, drawing with two strong teams, and forcing Argentina into extra time — this Cape Verde team deserves a place in African football history. 👍